304 JOURNAL OF SCIENCE. 
Length, almost 2 lines ; breadth, quite 54. 
Described from one example in my own collection, obtained, 
most likely, near Whangarei Harbour, 
Somemus vittatus, n. sp.—Black, shining with a short broad ob- 
lique basal stripe on each elytron, testaceous, legs fuscous, tarsi 
slightly rufescent ; rather broad and sub-parallel. 
Head closely punctured. Pvothovax longer than broad, nar- 
rowed in front, convex, posterior angles divergent ; moderately 
closely, but not coarsely, punctured, slightly canaliculated behind; 
covered with short, erect, blackish hairs, and a few grayish ones 
near the hind angles. Scwutellum punctulate. Elytva nearly 
parallel-sided, finely striated, the external strize punctured, inter- 
stices so punctulated as to appear rugulose, densely clothed with 
fine, decumbent, griseous hairs. Antenne as long as head and 
thorax, 3rd joint a little longer than 2nd, these two, together, 
quite as long as 4th, joints 4-10 serrate. Underside black, punc- 
tulated, closely covered with yellowish-gray hairs. 
Easily recognised by the upright hairs on the thorax and the 
oblique elytral vittee. 
Length, 4; breadth, 1% lines. 
One example, in bad condition, taken by Mr. T. F. Cheese- 
man, F.L.S., on Mount Arthur. 
TO OUR READERS. 
SS 
In entering on the second year of publication of the NEw 
ZEALAND JOURNAL OF SCIENCE, it is incumbent on us to ad- 
dress a few words to those who have supported the undertaking 
in its inception, and are interested in its progress, with a view of 
showing how it has prospered and what its prospects are. Asa 
publication we are led to believe that it is generally viewed as a 
success ; it has fulfilled the promises held out at its start; and 
its contents and get-up are favourably compared with other colo- 
nial scientific productions, Its usefulness, too, must be apparent 
to all engaged in scientific research. As a financial speculation, 
however, it has not been a success, the cost of printing alone 
having more than absorbed the receipts. This no doubt is due, 
to a great extent, tothe fact that it appeals to a limited number 
of readers, and also, in part, to a lack of support from certain 
quarters in which support was looked for. One thing has made 
itself abundantly clear in the course of the past year, and that is 
that such a publication need never succumb for lack of materials. 
The question then resolves irself into one of £4 s.d. If the jour- 
nal is to be carried on, it must receive more support ; whereas, 
of course, if the sinews of war are not forthcoming, it must be 
allowed to die a natural death—to add another to the many 
